Oshawa school boundaries re-drawn

Change means additional portables for Pierre Elliot Trudeau P.S.

OSHAWA -- Despite hundreds of petition signatures protesting new portables slated for Pierre Elliott Trudeau Public School, the Durham District School Board has approved a plan that could mean up to 10 in 2016.

Additional portables will be required to accommodate an influx of students who will attend the school due to boundary changes to a group of Oshawa elementary schools.

Currently many students in Oshawa are bused to schools outside of their immediate neighbourhood due to enrolment pressures in the past, prompting the boundary changes.

Superintendent of education and Oshawa schools Jeannine Joubert said at the Jan. 21 school board meeting the "boundary changes proposed will allow students to attend their neighbourhood schools, allowing many to remain in walking distance."

Trustees approved the plan, which means students currently attending Athabasca Street P.S. in the Townline Road North development will attend Pierre Elliott Trudeau in September 2014. Those wishing to attend Pierre Elliott Trudeau in September 2013 may do so but will not be provided transportation.

In September 2013, current Athabasca students living in the Kingsway Forest development will attend Vincent Massey P.S., which will receive an addition and renovations.

Students currently living in the northern portion of the Coronation P.S. boundary will attend Gordon B. Attersley P.S. in 2013.

Those entering Grade 8 who are affected by the changes have the option to stay in their original school for their final year.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau parent Melissa Wendt spoke to the board in December, asking it to consider an addition to the school, citing health and safety concerns regarding the portables that will be needed to accommodate the additional students. There are currently six portables at the school, and the changes could mean up to 10 in 2016, after which enrolment is expected to decline. Ms. Wendt collected 470 signatures backing up her request.

Staff indicated grading restrictions will make an addition impossible, and projected numbers don't justify adding onto the school. An addition could also affect the board's chance of receiving approval to build a future school in the Townline development area.

The staff report said Pierre Elliott P.S. will receive renovations, and suggested a video camera and locked door and card systems when the work is taking place.

"We took into account all of the information presented to us by various groups in the Oshawa area," said Oshawa Trustee Larry Jacula. "These decisions are difficult but hopefully we have made a decision that will better most of the students that are involved."

Oshawa Trustee Kathleen Hopper made similar comments, but was pleased that children can now attend the schools they live near.

"This certainly addressed that," she said.

Ms. Wendt was disappointed that the board went ahead with the original plan.

"Now I've got to think of what to do for schooling," she said.

She's going to seriously consider sending her children to a Catholic school instead.

Now I've got to think of what to do for schooling.

Kristen Calis covers Pickering and writes a pet column for the Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division. Anyone with upcoming animal charity events that they would like listed in Kristen’s Kritters can e-mail kcalis@durhamregion.com.